Osmochescu to Farmers: “Until We See the Costs, There Can Be No Talk of Licensing”

The government continues to consider demands from farmers in northern Moldova, who are calling for changes to the VAT rate and the extension of grain import licensing through December 2026. Agriculture Minister Eugen Osmochescu said the authorities would not make a decision until they assess the financial and economic impact of the proposed measures, noi.md reports, citing bani.md. According to the minister, the farmers’ demands remain unchanged and were previously put forward by agricultural producers. They mainly concern the VAT rate, the licensing regime for grain imports and the introduction of additional tax measures. Regarding import licensing, Osmochescu said the government had already expressed its willingness to consider such a measure in the context of the state of emergency, but a final decision would only be made after the necessary calculations have been completed. “Until we see the financial and economic costs, there can be no talk of licensing,” the minister said. According to him, specialists from the Economic Council under the prime minister are currently calculating the impact of such a measure on all participants in the agricultural supply chain, from importers to producers. The issue of the VAT rate also remains unresolved. Osmochescu said it is being discussed in Parliament, including by the Economy, Budget and Finance Committee and the Agriculture Committee. The minister added that government representatives are participating in the discussions, but a final decision will be made only after the analyses and consultations are completed. On Monday, September 28, farmers from Falesti district held a peaceful protest involving agricultural machinery and equipment. Farmers from several agricultural associations with different political orientations took part in the action. They called on the authorities to keep the VAT rate on grain and oilseed crops at 8%, extend grain and sunflower-seed import licensing at least until December 31, 2026, and reimburse the excise duty on diesel fuel purchased between June 1 and December 1, 2026. The Falesti farmers said that if the authorities failed to heed their demands, they would head to Chisinau with agricultural machinery after completing the harvesting and sowing campaigns. They also called on farmers from all districts of the country to join them.